Teen charged in connection with string of robberies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have arrested a teenager in connection with a series of robberies in east Charlotte that occurred over a period of less than two weeks.

On Friday, police confirmed that Joshua Nathan Koiyan, 17, has been charged for his involvement in the series of robberies.

CMPD says the robberies began on Tuesday, October 4, at the MMYT Food Mart on Shamrock Drive at 10 a.m.

Just over a week later, the same store was targeted around 1:45 in the afternoon. Later that day around 5:15, the Boost Mobile store on the Plaza was hit, followed by The Plaza and Milton Food Mart around 9:30 and the Run-In convenience store on the Milton just moments later.

The next afternoon, the EZ Light business on The Plaza was also robbed.

In each case, a black male armed with a handgun entered and robbed the business. The suspect is described as having a slim build and standing about 5-foot-8; he's said to have a West African accent.

Customers said it is concerning, but it is not stopping them from doing what they need to do.

“I pretty much just watch my back, try not to go out too late after dark, keep in contact with my parents and let them know what’s going on,” Brittanie Brown explained.

If you have any information on these robberies, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.